August 20, 2013

Brandon Magee's concussion gives other backup LBs a chance to impress

Alex Albright's season-ending injury has opened up a backup linebacker spot on the roster. Brandon Magee had been making a play for that role, having started out training camp at backup middle linebacker before getting work at backup weakside linebacker a week ago.

But Magee suffered a concussion in practice Monday and will miss at least Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals.

"We’ll go through that normal protocol and see how he is everyday," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "The clock starts at a particular time, and then he’s able to play soon after that."

Magee played 30 defensive plays and five special teams plays last week against the Cardinals. He led the defense with six tackles.

Magee, who is 5 foot 11, 223 pounds with arms measuring only 28 3/4 inches, finally was starting to show what the Cowboys saw in him to reward him with a $70,000 guarantee as an undrafted free agent.

"He’s doing well," Garrett said. "He’s a good player. What we saw in college is what we’ve seen here, a little bit undersized. Not the fastest guy when we talk about his timed speed, but he plays fast and he has a nose for the ball and is around the ball a lot."

The Cowboys now are without linebackers Albright, who will was waived/injured with a back injury that needs surgery, Ernie Sims (groin) and Magee. Caleb McSurdy, Cameron Lawrence and Taylor Reed now have even more of a chance to impress, with injuries to others giving them an opportunity.